Nice bucks but I have a problem with Muzzle loaders that shoot 200-300 yards
The reason Muzzle loaders and shotgunners get the early season is because of the limited range of 'primitive' weapons. Its supposed to provide some degree of safety to farmers who are still working the feilds taking crop off.
Because of the 'limited range' you are also not as 'dangerous' and don't have to comply with the blaze orange requirement rifle hunters do.
Now that muzzleloaders are no longer range limited and have progressed its time the laws progress as well. So either muzzleloaders come under the same regulation as rifle season or rifle season is allowed some of the perks of muzzleloader season. I favour the latter.
It would be nice to enjoy the same fall weather, instead of frozen November, clothing regulation, and equal opportunity at a season opener as a rifle hunter.
There are a lot fewer hunters afield these days and extending the season for everyone would give many more people a chance and might rekindle some of the interest. Seems everywhere else manages not to shoot each other up without blaze clothing and you could give us Sunday hunting too
I've been hunting for 15 yrs now and am amazed at how many fewer I see out just in that short period of time. I don't have a problem with muzzleloaders but I certainly feel opening up of some regs are due.